DAN SKINNER - Audio-Reader
Transcription
DAN SKINNER - Audio-Reader
For Friends and Supporters of the Kansas Audio-Reader Network SPRING 2016 Audio-Reader welcomes DAN SKINNER as Executive Director We sat down with Dan to discuss his history and goals for the future of Audio-Reader Meet Audio-Reader’s new Development Director and Program Manager The Garden’s new feature lives up to its name: Sensory Pavilion Director’s Note Dan Skinner, Executive Director Airwaves SPRING 2016 Airwaves is a newsletter published twice a year for supporters of the Audio-Reader Network of the University of Kansas. Beth McKenzie Meredith Johanning Editors The Audio-Reader Mission The Kansas Audio-Reader Network exists to provide print-disabled citizens with access to the printed word and other information via electronic media and other technologies. Audio-Reader’s services are provided free of charge to enable print-disabled persons the opportunity to live their lives with the greatest possible personal independence. Moving Forward at Audio-Reader As the new Director of Audio-Reader, it has been a pleasure meeting volunteers and working with the staff. I’m proud to be associated with all of the good work that Audio-Reader is doing. I’m looking forward to working with you to keep Audio-Reader strong and expand the number of people we are able to serve. Your dedication to Audio-Reader is evident. We are only able to thrive through your continued gifts of time, talent and resources. The recently concluded annual HEA-R Campaign was a success. Thank you very much for your support! Your support becomes more and more critical to Audio-Reader as some of our funding sources are shrinking. During this fiscal year Audio-Reader’s budget suffered a loss of $24,797 due to State of Kansas income shortfalls and other income shortfalls within the University of Kansas. These budget reductions, and future potential cuts, have created the need for more donor funding to fill the gap and make sure Audio-Reader will be able to continue providing its services to our many listeners in Kansas, Missouri and across the United States. Recently we welcomed two new staff members to the Audio-Reader family to fill vacant positions. Nick Carswell joined us in March as our new Audio-Reader Program Manager. Nick brings years of work with non-profit organizations, broadcasting and as a musician. In April, Beth McKenzie became our new Development Director. Beth came to us from Midland Care in Lawrence and has a background in fundraising. We are excited about the fresh perspectives Beth and Nick bring to the Audio-Reader team. The Audio-Reader Sensory Garden now features a new pavilion. This unique pavilion, which features a rammed earth column and walls, was made possible through funding from Randy Austin and Colinda Austin Stailey in memory of their uncle Dr. Johnnie Austin. A special thanks to Randy for his many years of service and generosity toward Audio-Reader. The pavilion was designed and built by KU engineering students at Dirt Works Studio. Be sure to experience the pavilion the next time you visit the Audio-Reader! 2 Together, we strive to provide Access. Empowerment. Self-Sufficiency. Kansas Audio-Reader Staff Dan Skinner Executive Director Steve Kincaid Chief Engineer Nicole Banman Business Manager Beth McKenzie Development Director Meredith Johanning Assistant Development Director Lori Kesinger Outreach Coordinator/Listener Liaison Nick Carswell Program Manager Jennifer Nigro Coordinator of Volunteers Lisa Werner Special Request Coordinator George McCoy Telephoner Reader Supervisor Billie Archer Weekend Telephone Reader Supervisor Susan Tabor Assistant Coordinator of Volunteers Cover photograph: New Audio-Reader Executive Director, Dan Skinner, photo by Audio-Reader Questions or comments? Audio-Reader 1120 West 11th Street Lawrence, KS 66044 800-772-8898 | arnet@ku.edu reader.ku.edu facebook.com/AudioReader The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression and genetic information in the University’s programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Director of the Office of Institutional Opportunity and Access, IOA@ku.edu, 1246 W. Campus Road, Room 153A, Lawrence, KS, 66045, (785)864-6414, 711 TTY. Development Corner Updates on fundraising initiatives at Audio-Reader Summer Fund Drive to Fill the Gap Audio-Reader’s budget recently suffered an immediate and unexpected loss of $24,797 due to State of Kansas income shortfalls and other income shortfalls within the University of Kansas. Although we anticipated some cuts from state funding, this shortfall hit us without warning, giving us no time to plan or budget around the unexpected loss. Audio-Reader must raise enough money with this summer campaign to offset the unanticipated losses. Your generosity is critical to help raise the $24,797 needed to fill the gap from these sudden budget cuts. Your donation ensures that we can continue to provide our free 24/7 service and beautiful garden to thousands of listeners in Kansas, Missouri and across the United States. A postage-paid envelope is included in this newsletter. Gifts of all sizes make a BIG difference! Thank you for supporting Audio-Reader! On the Road Again… Thank you to all of the donors who contributed toward the purchase of a new, reliable vehicle for Audio-Reader. We’re pleased to announce that our outreach team is on the road in Kansas and Missouri in our new 2016 Toyota Rav4 LE from Crown Automotive in Lawrence, KS. Our new vehicle is environmentally friendly with fuel economy at: City: 23mpg, Hwy: 30mpg. The Rav4 is very spacious and will be able to sufficiently accommodate our outreach material. The Rav4 also has one of the best reliability reputations in its segment – which is great for us as we plan to own this vehicle for a long time (we drove our last van for almost 14 years). Speaking of the old van, it will still be of service – it was transferred to KPR and will still be used by Audio-Reader for FYEO purposes. Audio-Reader staff welcoming home the new vehicle New and Notable Major Funding • 2015 HEA-R Campaign: $ 90,260 • Kansas Lions Sight Foundation: $17,500 for Braille and Large Print Program Guides and satellite fees • Ethel and Raymond Rice Foundation: $9,324 grant for Braille Program Guides, closed-circuit radios and Audio Description training for A-R & Spencer Museum of Art staff and volunteers • MERC Change for Community: $3,600 • German American Club of Topeka: $1,000 • CANS for the Community: $1,000 Beth McKenzie Director of Development Audio-Reader’s new Development Director, Beth McKenzie Introducing Audio-Reader’s New Development Director Audio-Reader’s new Development Director, Beth McKenzie, started full-time in April. Beth has over ten years of non-profit experience including fundraising, grant writing and program management. Beth comes to us from Midland Care, where she served as the PACE Site Manager for Douglas County. Beth has also been very active in the community, volunteering and serving on boards and committees when possible. Beth has known many AudioReader volunteers and a few staff members over the past several years and was very impressed by how positive and supportive the AudioReader family is, stating, “AudioReader has such an amazing donor and volunteer base, and I’m excited for the opportunity to help further the services.” Beth has jumped right in and is already a big help. Welcome Beth! Stop by and introduce yourself and plan to receive introductory communication from Beth through letters, emails, phone calls or visits as she settles into her new role. 3 New Equipment to Improve Access for Volunteers and Listeners Jen Nigro, Coordinator of Volunteers Randy Troyer and a matching gift from Tradebot Systems, we will soon install recording equipment on par with what volunteers at our Lawrence location are using, leading to better quality recordings and access to more newspapers for our listeners. Volunteer Merton Shatzkin reads in the Alphapointe studio. Soon the studio will feature new recording equipment. Audio-Reader’s studio at Alphapointe in Kansas City, MO, is getting an upgrade! Thanks to the generosity of the Missouri Lions, volunteer Currently, volunteers who record Kansas City-area newspapers from Alphapointe cannot easily edit mistakes out of their audio files. Additionally, to time their session, they must turn away from their reading material and look out a window to see their progress displayed on a monitor several feet away from them. With the new equipment, the time will be displayed on a monitor in the recording booth with them, and they will be able to back up and correct mistakes by pressing just a couple of buttons. These may seem like small changes, but they will lead to improved recording quality for our listeners and better efficiency for our volunteers. In addition, we will gain the capability to read from newspaper e-editions, increasing the number of newspapers we can read and making them available to Audio-Reader listeners on a timelier basis. It’s the generous support of our donors that makes the day-to-day work of our volunteers possible, and improves the quality of life for our listeners. Thank you! Five Fascinating Facts about Audio-Reader’s New Program Manager Nick Carswell Nick has been with Audio-Reader for a few months now as the Program Manager. With his background in music, radio and the arts, Audio-Reader was a good fit! • Originally from Limerick, Ireland, Nick has spent time living in Australia and traveling through Europe, South East Asia, South Africa and Australasia. • Nick once worked as a dancing waiter in Johnny Rockets restaurant in North Carolina, on a student summer work visa. • Nick is an accomplished musician and has released five albums with various bands since 2010. • Nick loves to surf, a hobby he learned at home in Ireland and got to practice in Australia. New Program Manager, Nick Carswell • Nick can whistle and hum at the same time, which means he can harmonize with himself. Give it a try! Save the Date! For Your EARS Only 2016 September 9 & 10 Douglas County Fairgrounds FYEO customers shop for treasures at the sale last year. 4 Audio-Reader is now accepting donations of vinyl LPs, CDs, DVDs and audio equipment for the 14th annual benefit sale, For Your EARS Only. Your donated items help Audio-Reader raise crucial operating funds which directly help our listeners. For a complete list of accepted donations and for more information about the sale, visit our website, www.reader.ku.edu, or contact Meredith Johanning at 785.864.4634. Help us make FYEO 2016 another ‘record’ year! 7th Annual Audio-Reader Golf Classic It was a beautiful day for a golf tournament! 72 players and 20 volunteers came out in swing to make the 7th Annual Golf Classic a huge success! This year’s tournament was held at Eagle Bend Golf Course and with the support of over 50 businesses and individuals, the tournament grossed over $21,000. KU Women’s Golf Head Coach Erin O’Neil chaired the tournament committee and led the committee’s tireless enthusiasm and fundraising efforts. A big thank you to the golf committee: Pete Knutson, Mark Praeger, Scott Weatherwax, and Randy Austin, without whom this wonderful day would not have been possible. The winning teams were: 1st place, flight A: Pat Bellows, Greg Gurley, Miles Schnaer, and Joseph Winslow 1st Place, flight B: Kyle Beisner, Kent Beisner, Cecil Kingsley, Mark Praeger (Not pictured) 2nd Place, flight A: Dick Flynn, Butch Batman, Scott Weatherwax, Phil Barrett 2nd Place, flight B: Mark Mitchell, Robert Munoz, Dick Rohlfs, and Jim Gerhardt Players had plenty of opportunity for fun, including Beat the Coach with Erin O’Neil, watching KU Women’s golf star Mook Kawinpakorn hit for their team, trying to get their ball to stay in the boat at the Boat Hole, and good food, drinks, and friends throughout the day. All of us at Audio-Reader are extremely grateful for our golf committee, our volunteers, our generous sponsors, and all the players for coming out and supporting us! 5 Meet Audio-Reader’s New Executive Director We welcome Audio-Reader’s new leader and learn more about his past experiences, his thoughts on the audio information industry and his goals for Audio-Reader. Dan Skinner by Meredith Johanning, Assistant Director of Development Growing up in Kansas and even spending a year of school at the University of Kansas, new Audio-Reader Executive Director Dan Skinner is no stranger to the Sunflower State and Lawrence, in particular. After almost 30 years building his career in various states throughout the country, Dan was ready to return home to Kansas and plant his roots with Audio-Reader. Share with us your past career and what led you to Audio-Reader. My career started in Kansas and eventually led me back to Kansas. Growing up in Hutchinson I started working in radio when I was a senior at Hutch High School. I attended KU during my junior year and completed my bachelor’s degree at Wichita State University. I started my public radio career when I joined the staff of KHCC in Hutchinson, now known as Radio Kansas, and became their first Program Director. I left Kansas in order to earn a Master’s Degree at Ball State University while serving as the Program Director of WBST in Muncie, IN. After graduating from Ball State, I managed the public radio stations at Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN, then later served as the President of Texas Public Radio in San Antonio and Executive Director of WKSU at Kent State University. a small staff and a large volunteer base that, as a team, provide programming for one of the premier audio information services in the nation. How can we expect the budget shortfalls in the State of Kansas right now to impact Audio-Reader? The bad news is, we’ve already seen reductions in our budget this fiscal year and more cuts are possible in the future until the Kansas budget stabilizes. The good news is we have many generous donors who believe in the service provided by Audio-Reader. As noted earlier, Audio-Reader will make a concerted effort to expand our donor base and other sources of charitable support. We will need to work harder at telling our story. What we do is important and worthy of support. When the position in Lawrence came open, I jumped at the opportunity to return home to Kansas and became the Director of the Kansas Audio-Reader Network and Kansas Public Radio in November 2015. During your career you gained experience with a an audio information service. Tell us more about that experience. While I was working at KHCC in Hutchinson, the community college operated a small audio information service. I volunteered to read the local newspaper and I also programmed the automation system that placed the programming on the KHCC subcarrier. While I was president of Texas Public Radio in San Antonio, we worked with the audio information service known as Owl Radio. These experiences gave me an appreciation of audio information services. Now that you’ve officially been on the job for over 6 months, what do you see as some of Audio-Reader’s strengths? Audio-Reader’s strength stems from the quality of people involved and the variety of services offered. We have 6 Dan speaking at the Sensory Pavilion dedication. With the demise of some local newspapers and a reduction in local reporting at many others, that information is becoming harder to access. The industry will need to find other sources, such as online news outlets, and work with those content creators as partners in serving the needs of our audiences. As a wide variety of content is available from many sources, Audio-Reader needs to know our audience well and serve their needs with programming they will not easily find elsewhere. The pavilion project leaders: Volunteer Frank Male, Assoc. Professor Chad Kraus, Dan Skinner, and pavilion benefactor Randy Austin What are your goals or future vision for Audio-Reader? We have a lot to offer! More people need to be aware of the services and be able to take advantage of them in Kansas, Missouri and beyond. We will continue to work on expansion of our service area and our donor base and funding options. I believe more people will support Audio-Reader once they hear our story and understand the difference we make in the lives of those we serve. A key part of our service is providing listeners with information about their communities. Reading local newspapers has been key to accomplishing that goal. In the future, more and more of the people we serve will be comfortable with digital media and will expect to use their digital devices to hear what they want, when they want it. They will expect our service to be available ondemand in the same way. Our challenge will be to provide the content they want in a timely and accessible way. The technology will change over time, but the “human voice” our volunteers give to the content of the service will remain key to our future. When you started at Audio-Reader, the Sensory Pavilion project in the Sensory Garden was just beginning to take place. Tell us about your experience with the project over the past several months? We have enjoyed working with the students at Dirt Works Studio within the KU School of Architecture. Partnering with the students and watching the project grow from concept to completion was a fascinating process. The new pavilion provides the Audio-Reader Sensory Garden with a one-of-a-kind signature element that visitors will enjoy for many years to come Kansas Lions Sight Foundation Continues Their Support Kansas Lions Sight Foundation Treasurer Andy Hoedl presents Dan Skinner with a check for $17,500 for the KLSF satellite uplink, Braille Program Guides and Large Print Program Guides. This will be the 33rd year of their support! 7 Sharing the Gift of Sight…Through the Garden It was during preparation last year for the Douglas County Master Gardeners Tour when Audio-Reader learned that the gazebo in the garden had become an unstable structure and would require extensive repair in order to remain usable. Audio-Reader was faced with a decision on what to do about this special place in the garden when Chad Kraus, Associate Professor in the KU School of Architecture Design and Planning and director of Dirt Works Studio, learned of this situation. After a few conversations between Professor Kraus and Audio-Reader, the idea for a new Sensory Pavilion began to take shape. The Sensory Pavilion project was supported by AudioReader volunteer and Development Committee Chair, Randy Austin and his sister, Colinda Austin Stailey, in memory of their uncle Dr. Johnnie P. Austin. A dedication ceremony for the new pavilion took place on Friday, May 13 and is now ready to be enjoyed by all visitors of the garden. Since the start of the spring semester, 20 KU architecture students, under the direction of Professor Kraus, have made Audio-Reader’s Sensory Garden the focus of this semester’s curriculum. “From the very first it was clear that the mission of Audio-Reader, and in particular the Sensory Garden, aligned beautifully with the principles I try to teach” remarked Kraus. Long before the project began, Kraus, his wife and children were regular visitors to the garden. His son even affectionately refers to the garden as his “Secret Garden.” “I try to teach my students to embrace natural phenomena,” continued Kraus, “such as natural light and shadow, cultivating a sense of place, and paying close attention to its subtlety and nuance in order to design for a full and varied sensory experience.” And a sensory experience it has become. From the crunch of the crushed granite on the floor of the pavilion, to the smell of cedar from the timber roof and benches, to the simultaneous smooth and grainy feel of the rammed earth column and walls. The new structure fully lives up to its moniker: Sensory Pavilion. Randy Austin and Colinda Austin Stailey cutting the ribbon to the new Sensory Pavilion “For years, Audio-Reader has been ‘sharing the gift of sight through sound.’ Now, with this unique pavilion, we can also share incredible sights through touch and smell. The rammed earth of our column and walls was the same process used to build parts of the Great Wall of China and The Alhambra in Spain. The signature scent of charred cedar comes from a wood preservation technique of Japan, Shou Sugi Ban. This technique was employed in the castles of the Tokugawa Shogunate in 17th century Japan and, lately, in more modern buildings in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and throughout Europe. “The bronze used in the bust of our Louisianan uncle, Dr. Johnnie P. Austin, by the Chinese-American sculptor, Kwan Wu, will endure at least 1000 years, or so we are told. The Sensory Garden experience truly now spans time and continents. “This project was a personal commitment to the Audio-Reader mission and an expression of love by each and every person involved. This magnificent pavilion is that love realized. Audio-Reader and the Austin family are truly grateful.” — Randy Austin, Sensory Pavilion Benefactor 8 Donor List UNDERWRITERS Douglas County Community Foundation Ethel and Raymond Rice Foundation Fairlawn Plaza Shopping Center Fry Eye Associates, P.A. Hallmark Cards, Inc. Kansas City Society of Ophthalmology Kansas Lions Sight Foundation Kansas Optometric Association Kansas Public Radio KCUR Public Media Kresie & Penzler, M.D.’s, P.A. Ophthalmology Lawrence Memorial Hospital Leavenworth Noon Lions Club Lied Center McDaniel-Knutson Financial Partners Overland Park Host Lions Club Retina Associates, P.A. Starlight Theatre Sedalia Lions Club BENEFACTORS ($500+) Anonymous Atwood Lions Club Brenda Berg-Dyck & Randal Dyck Carole Bishop Smith Ann Bush Cans For The Community, Inc. Community Mercantile, Inc. William Dann Scott Dean Eastview Lions Club German American Club of Topeka Hartley Family Foundation Patricia Hartley Susan Hewitt Jackie & Russell Hilton David Holmes Independence Host Lions Club Laura Hartley Lintecum Deborah & Robert Lunning Frank Male Sr. Missouri Lions District 26-M4 David & Carol Parker Paul Ross Charitable Foundation David Pierson Cathy Reinhardt & Norman Our gratitude is extended to the following donors whose contributions have supported the work of the Kansas Audio-Reader Network. Please note that Audio-Reader publishes two separate donor lists each year. This list reflects only those donations received between October 1, 2015 and March 31, 2016. St. Laurent Kathy Sanders Elinor Schroeder Lori & Steve Tesdahl Sylvia Small Wiedeman George & Beverley Wilson Elizabeth Hartley Winetroub DIRECTORS CLUB ($300+) Mary Ann & Michael Chappell College Hill Plumbing, Heating, Cooling, Electrical, Inc. William Durkee Charles & Erma Fisher Hays Lions Club Linwood Lions Club Jack & Mary Ann Strong PRODUCERS ($150+) Augusta Evening Lions Club Baldwin Lion’s Club Lawrence Barmann Basehor Lions Club Robert & Margaret Bearse Gary Beasley Wilma Beckman Anita & Leon Bell Nancy Biles & Erik Lundquist Richard & Suzanne Bond Mary Bortko Williams & Patrick Williams Capital City Bank Lester & Margaret Carlson Brenda Carrieri Robert Casino Gary & Jeanne Clark Sheldon & Virginia Cohen Mike Corcoran Robert Dey Jerry & Ileene Donnelly David Dumovich Roger & Clarice Ewing Dale & Connie Friesen Goodwin & Shirley Garfield Carol Gilmore Tracy Harrison Ruth Hatfield Hiawatha Lions Club Gary Hobin Holyrood Lions Club Mark Hutchins Rob Johnson KS Commercial Real Estate Services, Inc. Thomas & Melinda Kearney Francis Kelsey Linda Lang Lansing Lions Club Lynn & Robert Mackle Paul McKie Wayne Morris Anthony & Karen Mynsted Newton Lions Club David & Jennifer Nigro Anne Osborne Ron & Maggie Poindexter Mark Praeger & Sandra Kaiser Praeger Richard Quinn & JoAnne Kready Ronald & Jean Ramberg Joyce Schild Roger & Mary Scott Scott Smith James & Thelma Taylor Drs. Todd & Giannetti Eye Care, PA Topeka Sunflower Lions Club Austin & Ruth Turney Kevan & Gail Vick Kurt & Pennie von Achen Voya Financial Steven Warren & Eva Horn William Westerbeke SPONSORS ($50+) Agra Lions Club Curtis & Debra Anderson Ernest & Margaret Angino Michelle Anschutz Marilyn Asklund Nicole Banman Robert Barrett Beverly & William Bartscher Arleta Bell Belton Host Lions Club H. W. Beningfield Bisel, Inc. dba Minuteman Press Marjorie Black Carl Blomgren & Twyla Dell Kevin & Deborah Boatright Paul & Shirley Boatwright Ronald Bonesteel Nancy & Leo Bracciano Bunker Hill Lions Club Burlington Lions Club Patricia Cahill Central National Bank Donald Chambers Mary & Will Channon Robert Cook Charles Cooper Michael Cornelius George & Jane Cornwell Raymond Crews III William & Mary Cushing Martha De Lay Michael & Maxine Denniston James Deputy Derby Noon Lions Club Larry Donham Michael Doudoroff Patrick & Lynda Dowling Downs Lions Club Gail Drexel Merilee & Billy Joe Dymacek Thomas & Jean Eblen Emporia Noon Lions Club John & Susan Esau Craig Feigh Oliver & Rebecca Finney First National Bank Eileen & Gordon Fitch Bruce & Karen Flanders George & Mary Frederickson Linda & Victor Frost Vincent & Dana Frye Garnett Lions Club Charles & Sandra Garrett Kara & Torey Gerwin Carl Graves Captain & Katharine Gray Gary Grunewald Pat & Joe Grzenda Donna Gunther Stan Hamilton Cristi Virginia Hansen Donald & Carol Hatton Ruth Kelley Hayden Karen Stuart Heeb Hill City Lions Club JoAnne Hulsey Roland & Joanne Hurst Janis Brown Hutchison Jane & Michael Imber Independence Noland Road Lions Club Carol & Laird Ingham Jr. Earl & Sonja Jacobs Robert & Sheryl Jacobs Jewish Community Women Carol & Charles Jones Faye Olmsted Jones Rebecca Jordan Clifford & Ann Frances Jury Kansas Kiwanis Foundation, Inc. Kanwaka FCE Douglas & Rosemary Kaploe Shirley Kasper Mike & Elaine Kautsch Orean & David Kent Lesley Ketzel 9 Paul Kincaid Cecil Kingsley Piet & Dorothy Knetsch Julia Koerner KU Endowment Lake Winnebago Lions Club Bonnie Lee Lee’s Summit Downtown Lions Club Susan & Stuart Levine Lindsborg Lions Club Lions Club of Ransom Geraldine & John Long Martin & Joanna Long Linda & John Lungstrum Marykay Mahoney Sara Marcus & Christopher Maples Helen Martin Janette McCullough Minneapolis Evening Lions Club Frank Mirikitani Allen & Marilyn Mitchell William & Virginia Jean Mitchell Alan & Lila Morris Kimberly Morrow Molly Mulloy Susan & Gerd Murphy N.K.A.V.I. Michael & Carolyn Nauman Carolyn Nelson Sue & Lawrence Nishikawa Jean North Sara Orel JoAnn Orth Jack & Ann Ozegovic Judy Paley Elizabeth Parks Catherine & Royce Parsons Duane Patton Joseph Pease Kathleen Poole John Potucek II Janet & Herbert Poulsen Floyd & June Preston Michael & Joyce Reynolds Donna & Harold Riehm Mark & Kathryn Robbins Catherine & Richard Robins Philip Rogers Scott & Janet Rogers Dorothy Rohning John Roper & Valerie Vandenberg Roper Mary Margaret & Kenneth Rowen Del Ruff St. Francis Lions Club Davi & Janet Schaaf Darcy Schild Gregory & Eva Schmidt Julie Scott Scranton Lions Club Richard & Harriet Shaffer Carol & Delbert Shankel Regina Shaver Suzanne Sherr 10 Stan & Janice Shumway Dale Slusser & Sherry Fowler Willa Smith Michael Stokes & Cheryl Kirby-Stokes Donald & Marcia Stroberg Phyllis Struble Matthew Suggs & Feloniz Lovato-Winston Marty Surface Emily & John Sutphin Jr Rev. Constance Tanis Cassie Thompson Randy Troyer Valley Falls Lions Club Ventura Club Cecilia Vigliaturo Alta Walter Walton Lions Club Washington Lions Club Sharon Watson Elaine & Donald Webb Kent & Janet Wellish Marie Whitacre Steven Sterling Whitfield Sandra & Allen Wiechert Ethelda Wilch Gregory & Lorrie Windholz Kimi Worstell-Laabs FRIENDS (up to $50) Marla & Dana Adkins-Heljeson William & Margaret Arnold Maxine Baker David Barta William Beaton Cordula Becker William Benkelman Margaret Bishop Samara Bradshaw Don Brady Steven & Katherine Bruner Anne Burgess Arthur & Janney Burgess Gloria Cantrell Toppy Carter, III Robert & Alice Collins Nancy Colyer & Benton Cobb Marilyn & Joseph Daniels Marilyn & Guy Dresser Lynne & Morris Faiman Ann Fiatte Father Robert Flannery William Fleming Margaret Gammage Richard Gier Paul J.R. Graves Teresa Gumm Donald & Paula Hatcher Carol Hatfield Charles Henrie Ralph Hiett Frances Hines Doris Hockenberger Hoxie Hot Rodders Lions Club Barbara Johnston Donald & Alice Johnston Kappa Kappa Iota Nu Rho Conclave Martha Kukuk Audrey Leban Roseann Levine Sharon Luka Betty Mai Beverly Marion Emma McElhaney Sarah McTaggart Bertha Jean Miller Teresa Mock H. L. & Glenna Morrow Virginia & Kenneth Offutt Ruth & Kenneth Ohm Flora Ott Kenneth Parker Tywanna Paul Ann Phemister James & Marcia Powers Mary Ann Rastorfer Dale Rein Patricia Reyes Robert Roberts Mrs. Frank Royer Joseph & Cathy Russell Patricia Schiefelbein Kristin Scott Norman & Sherry Slade Steven Sodergren Stafford Lions Club James & Jean Stokes Celia Stolts Mark Strand Velma Surface John Vannicola Carol Ann Vernon Lena Marie Waltman Tim & Audrie Wenger Peter & Joan Whitenight Wendell & Louese Winkler Eleanor Woodyard BRICKS for the SENSORY GARDEN In Memory of Ken Calhoun 1944–2015 Betty L. Emerson Howell 1919–2016 Remembering Mark Bettencourt Megan Wiechert Alden DG 1971–2011 Melinda M. Kearney Let it grow! Thank You Lorena Meyers Original Gazebo 1999 A Place to Enjoy Garden Tom Kearney Happy 27th: TK+MK=4ever Thank You Frank Male, Sr. Pavilion 2016 Audio-Reader Sensory Garden Pavilion 2016 With Thanks to Dirt Works Studio Alexa Kaczor • Anna Collins • Caitlin McKaughan • Dillon Park • Elayna Svigos • Hannah Underwood • Jared Mundil • Jeremy Weiland • Jeshua Monarres • Joey Kaftan • John Schwarz • Kelli Dillion • Kenzie Samp • Mitchell Starrs •Nick Faust • Patrick Griffin • Shummer Roddick • Spencer Reed • Stephen McEnery • Tanner Hyland • Professor Chad Kraus AIA • Mahesh Daas Ed. D., DPACSA • Dean KU School of Architecture Design and Planning PETEY CERF LEGACY SOCIETY *denotes deceased Mae S. Allen* Anonymous* (3) Anonymous Anna Ballard “Petey” Cerf* Randolph G. Austin Janet and Richard Campbell Sarah J. Cohen* William A. Dann Frank and Edna Day Thomas P. Doyle Marjorie Elliott* Gladys Fredrick Burge* Diana Seely Frederick Lela Freienmuth* Sara W. Gee* Carl Graves Phyllis J. Henney* Margaret E. Herynk* Jake Irvine* J. Archie King* Elsie Mae Luthey* Wilma R. Miller* Elwin J. Reynolds* Elaine N. Roberts Richard J. Schoeck* Mildred O. Swendson* Jane A. Tedder Ralph Turner* William R.* & Jean Van Lew Jerry Vogel* Mildred L. Wittick* Lee Young MEMORIALS Jan Dean Nancy Colyer & Ben Cobb Victor & Linda Frost Rebecca Jordan Marykay Mahoney David & Jennifer Nigro John B. Naughtin Michael & Julie Scott Jack & Ann Ozegovic Jack Schroeder David & Jennifer Nigro Harold E. Allen Service Memorial Kansas Kiwanis Foundation DONATIONS in MEMORY of Wendell & Lou Ella Asklund Marilyn Asklund Margaret M. Barmann Lawrence & Kathleen Barmann Mark and Kathy Robbins Harold C. Beckman Wilma Beckman Dean Bishop Margaret Bishop Arthur P. Burgess Anne Burgess Amelia A. Casino Bob Casino Emily Faye Catt Leon and Anita Bell Arlee Churchill Russell and Jackie Hilton Betty Cushing Bill and Mary Cushing Orville DeLay Martha DeLay Irene Donham Carol Hatfield Sally Ewing Raymond Crews Roger and Clarice Ewing Raymond V. Frye Vincent & Dana Frye Rudolph M. Gerling Judy Paley Juliet Baxter Gilmore Carol Gilmore Larry Jay Heeb Karen Heeb Lollene E. Henrie Charles Henrie Jerry Niebaum Jim & Thelma Taylor Joseph Hewitt Susan Hewitt Emlin “Pete” North Jean North Stuart D. Hines Frances Hines Lois L. Neis Billy Joe & Merilee Dymacek Rose Mary Hurst Roseann Levine Leah M. Oroke Donna Gunther Howard & Rosie Hurwitz Charles and Erma Fisher Frances A. Scott Kristin Scott Reta Jacobs Leon & Anita Bell Earl & Sonja Jacobs Mary Beth Smith Scott Smith Mary Karhut Don and Elaine Webb Mary Bess Kincaid Paul Kincaid J. Archie King Brenda Carrieri Roberta, Warren & Robert Lesh Father Robert B. Flannery Clarence Mai Betty Mai Prof. Russ Messler Floyd Preston Nancy Ellen Mirikitani Frank Mirikitani Juanita Morris Alan Morris Susan Nelson Morris David & Orean Kent Marilyn H. Morris Tom & Melinda Kearney “My Father” Michelle Anschutz Lynn H. Nelson Carolyn S. Nelson Marvin Smith Willa Smith Shifra Stein Robert F. Barrett Andrew C. Struble Phyllis Struble Rosalie R. Talley Bonnie Lee Nancee Thompson Cassie Thompson Mr. & Mrs. V.J. Van Reekum Royce & Cathey Parsons Ruth Warren Steven F. Warren George W. Woodyard Eleanor A. Woodyard DONATIONS in HONOR of Beth Rohning Barrett Dorothy Rohning Robert L. Campbell Mary Bortko Williams Maggie Carttar Cathy Reinhardt Tom & Carol Chaney Allen & Marilyn Mitchell Sensory Garden Ready for New Pavilion Thanks to Dedicated Volunteers Audio-Reader would like give a very special thank you to Head Garden Volunteer, Frank Male, for his tireless dedication to the Sensory Garden, especially over the last several months. Frank spent countless hours first preparing the garden for the pavilion construction and then carefully tending to it throughout the process so that it would be at its best for spring and the pavilion dedication. The garden would not be what it is today without the efforts from all of our garden volunteers. Thank you! Frank Male, Sr., Head Gardener Craig Sweets KU Alternative Weekend Breaks Bill Padgett Melissa Wick Delta Gamma Sorority Art Hadley Elaine and Mike Kautsch Molly Mulloy Jennifer & Dave Nigro Kent & Janet Wellish Judith A. Hawley Eastview Lions Club Irven Hayden Family Ruth Kelley Hayden Nelda Johnson Sharon L. Watson Doug and Rosemary Kaploe & Family Doug & Rosemary Kaploe Jane J. Kelsey Francis Kelsey Bruce Mensie Jennifer & Dave Nigro Lorena A. Meyers Tywanna Paul George Norton Alan Shaver Kathy Sanders Teresa H. Mock Mary A. Strong Kanwaka FCE Sharon Stratton Joe & Marilyn Daniels Velma Surface Marty Surface Virginia Vigliaturo Cecilia Vigliaturo Jessica Whitfield Steven Whitfield Beverley Wilson Jan McCullough Lawrence & Suzanne M. Sherr Sensory Garden Original Structure Did you know the original gazebo was established in the garden in 1999? Audio‑Reader volunteer, Lorena Meyers, graciously provided the funds for the gazebo. The gazebo, nestled at the end of the garden path, quickly became a favorable place to sit and enjoy the garden, while also providing a full view of the historic Baehr Audio-Reader building. We are thankful to Lorena for her vision of this spot and where it has led the Sensory Garden to today. 11 NON-PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE PA I D INSIDE LAWRENCE, KS PERMIT NO. 50 The University of Kansas Audio-Reader Network PO Box 847 Lawrence, KS 66044 Golf Tournament . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 New Executive Director . . . . . . . . . . 6 Sensory Garden Pavilion project . . . . . 8 Address Services Requested Together, we strive to provide Access. Empowerment. Self-Sufficiency. “The (Audio-Reader) Braille Guide helps me with my job as a certified financial planner and president of my own company. If I want to hear business news, I pick up the guide; it tells me what newspaper is going to be read at a particular time. I have the AudioReader radio on my desk. On the weekends, I look in the schedule for the books and stories. The Braille Guide helps me plan my day around the Audio-Reader broadcast.” — W. Hawkins, Audio-Reader listener for over 20 years Thank You for helping us support this listener to be a successful, empowered business man. Your contribution is truly helping us “share the gift of sight through sound.” Please consider sending a contribution to Audio-Reader today. A self-addressed, postage-paid envelope is included in this newsletter. Gifts of all sizes are greatly appreciated. THANK YOU! YOUR SUPPORT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE!